


Copyrighted 1896. All rights reserved. 





It Isn't a Joke. 




CHAPTER I. 


Emii, Gabce was the son of an in- 
Xife. dustrious Pennsylvania farmer, and 
while his parents were not what 
the world calls wealthy, they were able to 
procure for their children a first-class edu- 
cation. 

Emil grew up on the farm and was a dili- 
gent and promising youth. He w r as given 
a college education, but when he returned 
home the farm had lost its attractions, and 
the profits of that business seemed too small 
for a man of his ability, and like many other 
young men he left his quiet country home 
for the more exciting life of the city. 

The business which he chose turned out 
to be a profitable one, and in a few years he 
had accumulated considerable means. 


At the age of twenty-five he married and 
took up his abode in a fashionable quarter 
of the city ; his business grew, and Mr. Gable, 
as he is now generally called, was in a fair 
way of becoming a wealthy man. 

In the course of years his family also 
grew, and at present we find him a most in- 
dulgent father of three children. 

The furnishings of the home were costly, 
and no expense was saved on the wardrobe 
of any member of his family. 

Books were his chief delight, and his 
library was plentifully supplied with rare and 
costly volumes. Book agents alw r ays had a 
hearty welcome at his home, and generally 
met with success when offering to him for 
sale the latest book. There was one class of 
agents, however, to whom Mr. Gable was 
never at home ; that was the Life Insurance 
agent, and many a rebuff the diligent agent 
received at his hands. 

Now there came a time in Mr. Gable’s 
business career when things did not go just 
as he would like to have had them go ; this 
one year he lost money heavily. 

It happened that one day while he sat in 
his private office an old friend was announced 
who had lately engaged in the Life Insur- 
ance business. He was ushered in, and the 
two friends chatted pleasantly for a time, 
when the subject drifted on to insurance, as 


it often does when one is talking with an 
agent of that kind. Mr. Gable remarked that 
he had no use for that commodity, and that he 
was able to provide for his family as well as 
any Life Insurance company could ; that at 
present he could provide for them well, and 
as he was not dealing in futures the future 
had no terror for him. Little did he know 
what was in store for him in the next twenty- 
four hours. He also expressed his opinion 
that when he hears of an agent placing a 
large policy he considers it an immense joke 
on the insured. 

The agent’s arguments impressed him 
more forcibly than ever, and he pondered 
them a trifle more than he was willing to 
admit. 

The friend remarked that he thought Mr. 
Gable would some day be willing to let some 
one have that joke on him, to which he 
replied that he would let him know when 
that time came. The subject was dropped 
for the time being, and soon the friend de- 
parted. 

Mr. Gable then leaned back in his chair 
and for the next twenty minutes was busily 
engaged in thinking. 


3 


CHAPTER II. 


Mr. Gable was not only looked 
3>eatb. up to as a leader among his 
business acquaintances, but also 
in the church, and no social event was com- 
plete without his presence and co-operation. 

On the evening of the day that the closing 
events of our last chapter took place he was 
present at a social, and after participating in 
an elaborate banquet returned to his home 
at a late hour, and at once retired for the 
night and was soon peacefully slumbering. 

He had been sleeping only for a short time, 
it seemed, when he was awakened by the 
clanging of bells, the clatter of hoofs on the 
asphalt pavement, and the cry of “ Fire ! ” 
Hastily he arose, dressed himself, and started 
for the scene of destruction. He had not 
gone far before he learned the fire was con- 
suming the large warehouses of Gable & Co. 
‘‘Can it be possible?” he said to himself, 
“ and the bulk of the fire insurance expired 
yesterday, and I refused the renewal poli- 
cies because I expected to get it cheaper in 


4 


the Eastern Mutual companies!” These 
thoughts flashed through his brain, and, 
amid the din and excitement of the hour, 
totally bewildered him. He started to cross 
the street, when loud shouts of “Stop! 
Stop!” met his ears from all sides, and 
looking up he realized that the fiery steeds 
of Engine Thirty-six were upon him. 

Frantically plunging forward, he fell head- 
long, barely escaping the heavy wheels, and 
striking his head on the opposite curb, was 
picked up unconscious, with blood flowing 
freely from his temple. 

Regaining consciousness, the thought of 
an accident policy which he had allowed to 
lapse the first of the year, because he prided 
himself on being particularly careful, flashed 
through his mind, and he immediately be- 
came unconscious. He was removed to a 
neighboring hospital, and the message that 
was sent to the anxious family -was, “Mr. 
Gable is dead.” Yes, dead ! 

The usually happy home became one of 
sorrow ; the arrangements for the funeral 
were made in the usual manner ; black in 
profusion and flowers in endless numbers — 
all tokens of the esteem in which this good 
man was held. 

The church where Mr. Gable was accus- 
tomed to worship was crowded with weeping 
relatives and friends, and noiseless feet 


5 


moved to and fro ; the pastor said comfort- 
ing words to the family and told the congre- 
gation, “In the midst of life we are in 
death,” and spoke of the loss of a good man 
in the community ; the undertaker and sex- 
ton consigned the casket to the grave, the 
mourners returned home, and all was appa- 
rently over. 


6 


CHAPTER III. 


~ There is life beyond the 

*►* grave, and if you are a be- 

3ournc\>. liever you must surely be- 
lieve this, and so it was 

found by the subject of this sketch. 

Come, delay not, for the moments of a 
future life are as precious as the moments 
of the life past, and, though dead, Emil Gable 
found himself moving rapidly through a dark , 
narrow passage, accompanied by a white, 
clad being; on and on they went in silence 
until the darkness was so dense that the 
only thing visible was the whiteness of the 
object accompaning him, and at each step of 
the way the passage seemed to become more 
narrow, and more oppressive the atmosphere 
became, until finally the guide in white 
seemed to sink into the ground, but, as was 
soon learned, was going down steps ; Emil 
followed. Down, down they went until it 
seemed they were descending a bottomless 
pit ; but at length another path was reached, 
even more dark and narrow than the first; at 
length the sound of voices was heard and in a 
short time they found themselves in front 
of a great iron arch with black grated doors, 
and within witnessed a most revolting scene. 


7 


Men and women apparently of every 
station in life, drinking, carousing, gambling 
and fighting, the floor strewn with bodies of 
murdered victims ; serpents were every- 
where to be seen on tables, floor and walls, 
and a horrible stench filled the air; as to the 
conversation heard, it was of the most vile 
language. The whole scene w T as one of 
abhorrence. 

A shudder passed over the frame of Emil 
Gable, and as he turned away from the 
ghastly aspect his eye caught sight of the 
inscription over the great black arch : 
.“Doomed to Destruction.” 

The guide beckoned him on and they 
began to ascend a steep hill, onward and 
upward they climbed over rocks and thorns, 
the path no longer being straight, but wind- 
ing in its course, and as they proceeded on 
their way a ray of light gleamed in the path. 
Then suddenly their progress was stopped 
for a high wall rose up before them, but 
only for an instant, for as if by magic they 
were lifted from their feet and were rapidly 
moving upward as it were through the air. 
Again they reached a path, but how different 
from the one they had left ; it appeared to 
lead through a beautiful land, there was no 
more darkness, for a wonderful star shone 
like a beacon before them, and as they drew 
nearer and nearer it became more brilliant. 


8 


Now everything was changed, they seemed 
to be traveling through a fair country, sur- 
rounded by everything that was beautiful. 

Then coming around a sharp bend in the 
way, they found themselves at the top of a 
small steep hill, at the bottom of which 
flowed a beautiful wide river fringed on 
either side bj r trees of endless variety, so 
dense with foliage that a full view of the 
grand stream could not be had from that 
point of view, but upon descending the hill 
the path ended at the river bank and the 
appearance of the water was as a dark, deep, 
rushing torrent. 

Emil looked around for his guide, but 
found himself entirely alone. What was to 
be done ? He did not know. Surely he 
could not turn back, and at the thought of 
that horrible scene at the entrance of the 
den of those “Doomed to Destruction,” a 
shiver came over him. 

While he was meditating, he looked to the 
other side and there saw the guide beckoning 
him to enter the water and cross over. 

He obeyed, and as soon as he placed his 
foot on the water it appeared as dry land 
and he passed over without any incon- 
venience. 

Then again they began passing on toward 
the star, the goal of their ambition. As they 
proceeded on their way the star increased in 


9 


power and finally became as bright as the 
snn, and as they passed on sweet melodies 
pealed forth through the fragrant air, made 
so by the abundance of flowers and blos- 
soming trees. 

At length they reached the end of the 
journey and found, not a star, but a beautiful 
golden gate, the reflection of which had 
given light to the wayfarers on their journey. 
Over the gate w’as inscribed in letters far 
more brilliant than the gate itself: “City 
of Eternal Rest,” and within the gate was a 
scene that beggars description. 

Broad avenues stretched out in every 
direction, bordered with beautiful ever- 
greens and tropical plants. The inhabitants 
of the city were all white robed, and in many 
a shady nook sat solitary persons playing on 
harps and other stringed instruments. 

Here and there fountains of pure sparkling 
water flowed and sweet songsters hovered 
near on over-hanging boughs laden with 
blossoms. 

The whole scene was one of peace and 
happiness. 

Emil Gable, after surveying his new and 
strange surroundings, turned around only to 
find himself entirely alone again, his guide 
having disappeared as suddenly as he ap- 
peared. 


IO 


CHAPTER IV. 


Wondering what 

strange experience would 
Ifntervtew. next take place, Emil 

stood before the gate as 
though riveted to the spot, but his thoughts 
were diverted by a voice loud and sweet 
saying: “Who seeks entrance to the 

City of Eternal Rest?” and on looking up 
saw a sight that filled his immortal 
soul with awe, a face more fair than any- 
thing earthly, bathed in a halo of light, 
with garments snowy white which shone as 
the sun. It was but a moment until Emil 
found speech to answer: “Emil Gable.” 
The fair speaker within the portal repeated 
the name in a loud tone, then asked : “What 
record do you bear from earth of your past 
life as a passport to the City of Eternal 
Rest ? ” 

Emil replied that he had brought no record 
of his past life ; that he had been led thither 
by a guide and no passport had been given 
him. To this a smile seemed to pass over 
the countenance of the being within the 
gate and he said: “You surely have made 
a record, and you must render an account of 
your usefulness on earth before admittance 


to this city. My duty is also to find out if 
you are worthy of a place inside of these 
gates. Were you a Christian?” “Yes,” 
replied Emil, “I placed my church before 
my business.” 

‘‘Were you always honest and upright in 
your dealings with your fellow men ? ” The 
reply came : ‘‘I was, to the best of my know- 
ledge. I wronged no man of a penny.” 
“ Were you a loving husband and kind 
father?” “I always loved my family and 
with my means bestowed every possible 
luxury upon them,” replied Emil. “Then 
you were a man of means, what the world 
calls rich ? ” 

“ I had plenty of earthly goods, more than 
I needed for myself and family while I 
lived.” “ I suppose then that you provided 
well for your family that they may still 
enjoy a comfortable maintenance, now since 
you are called away ? ” “I am not sure of 
that,” replied the poor man, as he thought 
of the condition of his affairs, “for I have 
met with misfortunes, and I fear there is 
little, if anything, left.” 

“And you, Emil Gable, applying here at 
the gate of the City of Eternal Rest for ad- 
mittance, while the family that you provided 
luxuriously for during your time on earth, 
must tug and toil and eke out a miserable 
existence. 


12 


“ And perhaps during the struggle and 
competition that is required on earth, be 
trampled under or crowded out, and possibly 
be thrown on the cold charity of the world ; 
or perchance your children, like many 
others under similar circumstances, may be 
lured into evil paths and be forced for a 
mere existence into vile and criminal prac- 
tices to their soul’s destruction ; or per- 
chance they will withstand the temptations 
and live a virtuous life ; they may not be able 
to withstand the load that has been thrust 
upon them and their lives may be cut off. 
Who is their murderer ? Who is responsible 
for all this ? You, Emil Gable, and you 
only ; for your criminal neglect to provide 
for your own when you had ample means ! 

“ Remember, that he who provides not for 
his own is worse than an infidel, and infidels 
are not admitted here, they are doomed to 
destruction. If those whom you loved are 
not able to cope with the world and are pre- 
maturely cut off, their blood is upon you 
and you are their murderer, and no murderers 
are admitted here. They are also doomed 
to destruction.” 

At these words a shiver passed over the 
frame of Emil Gable and he sank down un- 
conscious outside the gate of the City of 
Eternal Rest. 


13 


CHAPTER V. 


JUST how long Emil re- 
mained there no one 

■Retrospect. knows, but the anguish 

that filled his soul paid 
part penance for his wilful neglect. 

He saw as through a glass, dimly, the 
movements of his loved ones, yet he was 
not able to take any part in their trouble, 
nor lend a helping hand. What the fire had 
not devoured the creditors had, and the 
family was compelled to give up its fine 
home and go penniless to a poorer part of 
the city. He could see faintly their feeble 
efforts to gain a livelihood, and he saw the 
flush and bloom of youth fade from the 
cheeks of his children, who were forced to 
abandon their education. Day after day the 
son helped his mother at the washtub and 
at night she plied the needle by the dim 
light of a candle, but with all, success was 
not theirs. 

Starvation stared them in the face ; bare- 
foot and but thinly clad the children went 
forward to beg their daily bread. 


14 


The health of the mother would no longer 
allow her to do any part of the work. Emil 
felt weak and hungry, but saw r he was only 
suffering with his family. At last his wife, 
unable to bear the load so cruelly thrust 
upon her, succumbed to that dread disease, 
consumption, and he saw her enter the City 
of Eternal Rest. 

Not long after he saw the children thrown 
from their miserable home and become 
children of the street ; not from choice, but 
from force of circumstances ; he saw them 
educated to crime, but he had no power to 
correct their waywardness. 

He saw them, one by one, doomed to de- 
struction, and felt he was directly responsible 
for the downfall of each and every one of 
them. Oh! what anguish filled his inmost 
soul ; if only I had listened to the voice of 
friends, when for an inconsiderable portion 
of my income I could have prevented all 
this misery ! Oh ! could I go over the last 
year of my life again I would provide for 
those loved ones through the means given ! 
It was my own selfish love of money that 
was the root of all this evil ! 

Then the mist rolled away. Emil felt cold ; 
he saw more clearly ; he lay clad in robes of 
white, but where ? Not outside the Golden 
Gate. No ! but in his own bed at his own 
home ! 


15 


Could it have been a nightmare ? Impos- 
sible ! All seemed so real. He felt for the 
fatal wound on his temple — not even a scratch 
was there. 

Then w T as it possible that there was no 
accident and no fire ? Was it really possible 
that he still had his loved ones around him 
and they and himself together enjoying 
their usual good health ? Such was the case. 
Emil Gable arose quickly and dressed him- 
self, but when he appeared at the breakfast 
table he found he had no appetite. The 
picture of the night’s proceedings was re- 
viewed in his imagination. He hastened 
out to business, but before he entered upon 
the regular duties of the day he hunted up 
the friend who had so earnestly pleaded wfith 
him the previous day to protect his family 
against the day of want, and not only wil- 
lingly, but anxiously, signed an application 
for a policy of life assurance for a substantial 
amount, saying as he did so that he “had 
changed his mind,” and “It isn’t a joke, 
after all.” 

Morai, : 

East clause of Luke io : 37. 




